"burning in" wires/cables

bionicmushroom · September 2003

On more than one occassion I have seen the words "buring in" when it comes to cables and wires...I had just ordered some new component cables, biwires, and still have a few to pick up and was wondering if there was something that I needed to do once I get them all in and connected? I have a pretty good idea of what it means but I have never "burned in" any wire and wouldn't know the correct way to do it nor what the benefits would be...Thanx!

Frank Z · September 2003

IMHO, Cable burn-in is all BS. Don't believe the hype. Plug in what ever you bought and enjoy.

gatemplin · September 2003

I second that. I never noticed any difference.

F1nut · September 2003

Contrary to my fellow Polkies, I believe in cable burn in because I have noticed a difference. It may have to do with the cable. For example, I know you wouldn't notice a difference with plain 16 gauge copper wire, but you should with high end wire. You don't mention what you bought, but it's all the same process, which is really nothing more than time. Some makers will say 40 hours, others 100 hours. You should be able to talk to the maker of your cables to see what they recommend. Generally what happens in the burn in process is that the cables settle down to their sonic signature. My PS Audio Statement power cord is a good example, it sounded too bright out of the box, but after about 50 hours I noticed that it became smoother and the bass became tighter, no BS.

Either way, report back what you find.

dcarlson · September 2003

Yup, same here. Signal Magic Power cord and Kimber Hero's both took some time before they settled down.

bionicmushroom · September 2003

So is that just for speaker wires and power cords or is it for all cables? My component cables and opticals are MC M-series and my main and center biwires are IXOS 6004's. I havent decided on which wires to use for my surrounds yet...

RuSsMaN · September 2003

I've noticed it on interconn's from Signal Cable to MIT. I had one pair of MIT's that was smooth, and little bright out of the box, 2 weeks later - highs mellowed, and bass was overwhelming. Had to switch cables for that rig.

Some speaker wire, nothing, my MIT's did have some subtle, but noticeable differences after burn in.

Good news is, believer or not, it WILL eventually happen if you actually use the toys the bought.

Cheers,
Rooster

steveinaz · September 2003

Your cables are probably burned-in within the first 15 minutes of play. IMO you're simply getting accustomed to the sound, but like all kinds of issues--this one rages on too.

HBombToo · September 2003

I might believe in cable burn in when the Twin is unleashed:D

HBomb

mrgoodcheese · October 2003

IMO I say it's BS also.

The term sounds like something from Monster Cable marketing.

dorokusai · October 2003

I have noticed cable burn in on my SC power cord, but honestly, don't know if the other cables I own have burned in or sound different.

I could care less either way, as long as its not a negative result after hookup...or it actually catches on fire....

terryvi · October 2003

Originally posted by F1nut
Contrary to my fellow Polkies, I believe in cable burn in because I have noticed a difference. It may have to do with the cable. For example, I know you wouldn't notice a difference with plain 16 gauge copper wire, but you should with high end wire. You don't mention what you bought, but it's all the same process, which is really nothing more than time. Some makers will say 40 hours, others 100 hours. You should be able to talk to the maker of your cables to see what they recommend. Generally what happens in the burn in process is that the cables settle down to their sonic signature. My PS Audio Statement power cord is a good example, it sounded too bright out of the box, but after about 50 hours I noticed that it became smoother and the bass became tighter, no BS.

Either way, report back what you find.

I am skeptical about copper wire changing characteristics over time. Could it be that your speakers were new and required "break-in". I would be more inclined to think speakers change over time than wire.

dorokusai · October 2003

F1's speakers are vintage Polk SDA 2.3TL's...they are out of their break in period by a long shot.

steveinaz · October 2003

Originally posted by terryvi
I am skeptical about copper wire changing characteristics over time. Could it be that your speakers were new and required "break-in". I would be more inclined to think speakers change over time than wire.

I agree. Speakers have "mechanical" suspensions that I believe do break-in or soften-up at any rate. But with speakers as well, I think within 4-6hrs of play, you're there.

dorokusai · October 2003

I think we should have a blanket generic statement, that whenever this constantly brought up subject arises, that gets posted to stop the thread from continuing.

Not a single person here nor a batch of found information elswhere in the world is going to solve this dispute. For every proof positive argument, their is the anti-argument.

Until the Audio God or Being steps down from his Home Depot wired Cerwin-Vega's and Sony 2000x7 wpc HT amplifier wired with Radio Shack Fusion interconnects....we will NEVER know the answer.

This is utterly pointless. I am not flaming you new guys, but I have only been here 3/4 of a year, and have seen this subject brought up and discussed to 0% resolution 12 times.

dorokusai · October 2003

I'm sorry I freaked out, make this the biggest thread ever known to man.

wlrandall · October 2003

Sorry, but I think it's the most rediculous thing I ever heard. Burning in conductors that carry no mentionable current whatsoever?? Burn-in is for power supplies, amp circuits, variable frequency drives, etc...things that involve current and heat.

Like I've told others, if you built a brand new house, with all new wiring, did all the lights burn brighter after a couple of weeks?? Did the oven cook food faster and tastier? Did any of your appliances perform better?? No, no, no, no....

RuSsMaN · October 2003

Originally posted by wlrandall
...if you built a brand new house, with all new wiring, did all the lights burn brighter after a couple of weeks?? Did the oven cook food faster and tastier? Did any of your appliances perform better??

I don't know, did you take any measurements to find out?

F1nut · October 2003

wl,

Your argument carries no weight. Go ahead, turn on your system. Take the positive/negative leads on your speaker wire and touch them together. Now, you want to tell me about current and heat.

bionicmushroom · October 2003

Man I wasn't trying to start a pissing contest I was just curious..LOL!! I see alot of goods points being brought out about this tho...Kinda reminds me of some biwire threads that I have read but I wont even go there...Dont you think alot of it is based on the equipment that you use? You know like this wire sounding better with that speaker and so on and so forth?

gidrah · October 2003

I've deffinately noticed it. Sometimes it's subtle, but sometimes it is very noticable. And sometimes I can't tell a difference.

I've read that it has more to do with the dielectric (plastic coating) and design more than the conductor itself.

burdette · October 2003

It depends completely on whether the copper atoms in your particular wires/cables happen to be heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual, as well as the mix of male to female atoms. If you happen to get a new wire/cable that has all male heterosexual atoms, for example, and they have beer, the sound *will* change once the atoms get loaded and decide to sit their fat-atom asses down to try to watch the game. If you end up with all male homosexual atoms, the sound will be warmer plus you'll wake up to find your man-cave has been redecorated (and looks better). Now, the worst is if you get all **** female atoms, because they don't really think you should be sitting down to listen to your system in the first place (you worthless piece of manshit).

Really, the best cables/wires to get, if you can manage it (and I admit it is pretty damn hard to tell), is all heterosexual female copper atoms. They'll all work together as long as you buy them nice gold connectors and break them in with romantic music.

HBombToo · October 2003

I am friggen dying over here Mark!:D

HBomb

faster100 · October 2003

Originally posted by burdette
It depends completely on whether the copper atoms in your particular wires/cables happen to be heterosexual, bisexual, or homosexual, as well as the mix of male to female atoms.

Ok OK enough, lets get the experts on this one!!:D

Brett, calling brett to the front register :rolleyes:

RuSsMaN · October 2003

Poetry Mark, poetry!

mantis · October 2003

Believe or not to believe is the question here.........

Only answer here is your own experience.

If you LISTEN to your system ,maybe you'll notice a difference after time.I have had so many different types of wire and most of it changed over time.and electrical stand point????Hype???Who cares I say,if you can hear it,then believe it.I don't believe in most of what THEY say but I do believe in my own findings........

No worng or right answer here guys............listen and you'll see.

Dan

"burning in" wires/cables

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